Iran Offering to Rebuild Iraq

[Merrill]

http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/sf/nyt1_29_7.htm

[uppityperson]

1. That'll piss off Halliburton. eom

[Horse with no Name]

2. How nice

Iraq has a choice of two abusive uncles.
On one hand, it's grand old Uncle US is a nice enough guy. However, it wants to rape it when nobody is looking.
On the other hand, Iran is the Uncle nobody really likes and who doesn't really like kids anyway and will beat the shit out of it given the chance.
What a wonderful choice for the Iraqis.:sarcasm:

[MADem]

3. Where will they get the money? They aren't terribly rich, Iran isn't

Just because they have oil doesn't mean they are rolling in dough. Hell, they have to spend a bundle IMPORTING GAS, because they don't have the refinery capacity. They have substantial infrastructure issues--a lot of crumbling government buildings, installations and supplied services. They're vulnerable, in economic terms, unless, of course, they use "Iraqi" oil money to "help" rebuild--the old "You give us your oil, and we'll provide the brains for you, you dummies." That'll go over real well....not.

I'd be wary of the Persian hand of friendship if I were an Iraqi...that ten year war wasn't a small thing, there are widows and fatherless teens and young adults all over both countries that were affected by that conflict...and that happened well AFTER the Shah left, under the rule of the Ayatullahs.

The "big tension/big question" with those two is if CULTURE (Persian v. Arab) or shared religion (shi'a and mostly shi'a) will be the deciding issue as to whether they'll do business or not.

Quite frankly, I think they're apples and oranges, shared religious affiliation aside. I can't see any alliance lasting too long...the cultural differences and individual pride in history will get in the way, I suspect.